Outboard motor mountings



Oct. 9, 1962 H. E. MCGUIRE 3,056,977

OUTBOARD MOTOR MOUNTING-S Filed Dec. 5, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

) 2G HAROLD E. Me Gwuza A'TTC) 2 N EYS Oct. 9, 1962 H. E. M GUIRE 3,056,977

OUTBOARD MOTOR MOUNTINGS Filed Dec. 5, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. HAROLD E. Mc GulQE ATTO EHEYS Oct. 9, 1962 H. E. MCGUIRE 3,056,977

OUTBOARD MOTOR MOUNTINGS Filed Dec. s, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. HAxzoLo E. McGuu 2E Patented Oct. 9, 1962 3,056,977 OUTBQARD MOTOR MOUNTINGS Hamid Edward McGuire, 1752 Mills St., Sandusky, ()hio Filed Dec. 5, 1958, Ser. No. 778,410 8 Qlaims. (Q1. 9-6) This invention relates to improvements in outboard motor mountings for boat transoms.

The primary object of the invention is to provide more efficient devices of this kind which distribute the strains and stresses of vibrations produced by outboard motors, while in operation, on boat transoms on which the motors are mounted, to other parts of the hulls of the boats, in a manner to reduce the deleterious effects which such vibrations otherwise have upon the transoms and other parts of boat hulls and upon motors.

Another object of the invention is to provide devices of the character indicated, which insure more secure, accurate and non-shifting mounting of outboard motors on boat transoms, and which include, in at least one form, a towing ring which has thereon a towing line tie ring which can run freely around the towing ring.

A further object of the invention is to provide devices of the character indicated above which involve transom mounted motor mounting plates which have means thereon engageable with outboard motor clamping means in a manner to limit shifting of outboard motors relative to the plates and to prevent disengagement of motors from the plates while the motor-clamping means are in clamping engagement with the plates and associated transoms.

A still further object of the invention is to provide devices of the character indicated above which involve keel brace means extending between and secured to the motor-mounting plates and the keels of boats on whose transoms the plates are mounted, so as to brace the plates on the transoms and distribute to the keels strains and stresses of motor vibrations; and to provide devices of this character which further involve gunwale brace means secured to and extending between boat hull gunwales and motor-mounting plates, so as to further brace the plates on the transoms and distribute strains and stresses of motor vibrations to the gunwales.

Still another object of the invention is to provide devices of the character indicated above which are easily installed and adjusted for different boat hull and transom dimensions, and which are simple in construction and can be made in well-finished and rugged forms at relatively low cost, the devices being capable of mass production and mechandising in compact, knocked-down condition.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stern portion of a boat hull, showing one form of the device of the invention installed therein, relative to an outboard motor shown in phantom lines;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the stern portion of a boat hull, and its transom and keel, showing another form of the invention installed therein;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the keel bracket shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a further form of the invention installed in a boat hull;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a still further form of the invention installed in a boat hull; and,

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of yet another form of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like or similar numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, and first to FIGURES 1 to 4 thereof, the form of the invention therein shown comprises an outboard motor transom mounting plate assembly 10, a keel brace assembly 12, and gunwale brace assemblies 14.

The motor-mounting plate 10 comprises a horizontally elongated web 16 having on its upper edge a rearwardly directed longitudinal flange l8, and on its lower edge a forwardly directed longitudinal flange 2d. The mounting plate 10 is installed with its web 16 against the forward side of the transom 22 of a boat hull 24 having a central forwardly extending longitudinal keel 26, and gun- Wales 28 along opposite sides of the hull, on a level, in this case, above the upper edge 3% of the transom 22; with the upper flange 18 engaged on the upper edge 30 of the transom. Fastening means, such as screws 32 traverse the web 16 and are threaded into the transom 22 so as to secure the mounting plate 10 in place. Where a single outboard motor 34 is involved, the mounting plate 10 is installed centrally on the transom 22, but where two outboard motors are involved, two mounting plates are installed on the transom in appropriate off-center positions, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The mounting plate 10 further comprises forwardly extending vertical end flanges 36 on its ends which merge, at their upper ends, into upstanding rearwardly extending flanges 38 joined to the ends of the upper longitudinal flange 18. The flanges 18, 20, 36 and 38 serve to stiffen the mounting plate 10, and the forwardly extending longitudinal flange 20 serves additionally as a drip-catcher for oil which may drop from an outboard motor 34 clamped on the transom 22 and the mounting plate 10.

On the forward side of the web 16 immediately below the upper flange 18 are two longitudinally spaced for wardly projecting stop or abutment ribs 40, for stop engagement by clamp heads 42 of the bracket of an outboard motor 34 which are engaged with the forward side of the web 16 in mounting the motor 34 on the transom 22 in the usual manner. The ribs 40 positively prevent the clamp heads 42 from riding up on the mounting plate 10 and thereby positively prevent disengagement of the motor clamp bracket from the transom 22 unless and until the clamp heads 42 are loosened. Further, the end flanges 36 prevent the motor bracket from moving endwise off the mounting plate 10, should the clamp heads 42 become loosened, while frictional engagement of the clamp heads with the undersides of the ribs prevents the motor 34 from shifting sidewise relative to the plate 10 and thetransom 22 while the clamp heads 42 are tight.

Each of the gunwale brace assemblies 14 preferably comprises a pair of straight rods 48 having opposite angled flats 50 and 52 on their forward and rear ends. The rear flats 52 are engaged with the laterally outward sides of the upstanding mounting plate flanges 38 and are secured in place by bolts 54. The forward flats 50 are secured to related gunwales, as to the laterally inward edges thereof, by such as screws 56, with the rods 48 disposed at forwardly inclined and divergent angles.

The keel brace assembly 12 comprises a rod 58 having theraded forward and rear ends 60 and 62, respectively, having thereon forward and rear lock nuts 64 and 66, engaged with hemispherical convex washers 68 and concave washers 70, respectively. The keel brace assembly 12 further comprises a keelv bracket 72 and a mounting plate bracket 74. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the keel bracket 72 comprises a longitudinally elongated hollow concave-convex form having channel cars 75 on its opposite ends, which are secured upon the boat hull keel 24'by such as screws 76, at a point. spaced forwardly from the transom 22. As shown in. FIGURE 2, the keel bracket 72 has an elevated hemispherical portion 78 at its rear end which is formed with a vertically elongated slot 80, through which the forward end 60 of the rod 58 freely extends and which enables major angular adjustments of the rod 58 relative to the hemispherical portion 78. The concave washer 70 is engaged with the convex outer side of the portion 78 while the convex washer 68 is engaged with the concave inner side of the portion 78, so as to provide an adjustable ball-joint arrangement.

The mounting plate bracket 74, which is preferably formed integral with the web 16 of the mounting plate 10, is located centrally of the web 16, and comprises a t hollow concave-convex form similar to that of the keel bracket 72, and has on its lower end a forwardly projecting hemispherical portion 82 having therein a vertically elongated slot 84 through which the rear end 62 of the rod 58 freely extends. The slots 80 and 84 are wide enough to enable some lateral adjustments of the rod ends, as well as adjustments along these slots. The convex washer 68 on the rear end of the rod 58 engages the concave rear side of the portion 82, while the concave washer 70 thereon engages the convex forward side of the portion 82. When adjustments of the keel brace rod 58 have been made, with the lock nuts 64 and 66 loose, the adjustments are secured by tightening the nuts against the washers.

The outboard motor mounting of FIGURES 1 to 4 further comprises a towing ring 86, which is preferably three-quarter circular in form, and has on its ends parallel, forwardly extending flat ears 88 which engage the laterally rearward sides of the upstanding mounting plate flanges 38. The bolts 54 which secure the rear ends of the gunwale brace rods 48 to the upstanding flanges 38 also traverse the cars 88 for mounting the" towing ring 86 on the mounting plate 10.- The bolts 54 can be tightened to maintain the towing ring 86 in a desired generally horizontal position.

The towing ring 86 has preferably a T-shaped crosssection, providing on its radially outward side a rail or rib 90 which is spaced from the upper and lower edges 92 and 94, respectively, of the cross head 96.

As shown in FIGURE 4, a tow line trolley ring 98 comprises a generally U-shaped form, of preferably flat stock, having arms 100 joined at their radially outward ends to a tie loop 102, and positioned close to the upper and lower sides of the rail 90. The arms 100 merge at their radially inward ends into laterally outwardly offset terminals 104 which reach around the edges 92 and 94 of the ring cross head 96, and are traversed by an axle pin 106 having thereon a roller 108 which rolls on the radially inward side of the cross head 96. The arms 100 are traversed, near the loop 102 by another axle pin 110 having thereon, between the arms 100, another roller 112 which runs on the radially outward edge 114 of the rail 90'. With the foregoing arrangement, the tie ring 98 is securely mounted on the towing ring 86, but can run freely around the towing ring, under towing conditions.

In FIGURES and 6 is shown another form of the invention, involving dual outboard motor mounting plate assemblies a, and a dual keel brace assembly 120, but permissively devoid of gunwale brace assemblies, which,

however, could be combined therewith, as in FIGURES The mounting plate assemblies 10a are mounted, in the manner described above, on a boat hull transom 22, in spaced side-by-side relation to eachother. Although the assemblies 10a are shown as being without stop ribs 4 thereon, these can be provided as in FIGURES 1 to 4, and the assemblies 10a are otherwise the same in construction as the mounting plate assembly of FIGURES l to 4, and include keel brace assembly bracket 74a, to which are secured, as in FIGURES l to 4, the rear ends of dual rearwardly divergent keel brace rods 58a, whose threaded forward ends 60a are secured to laterally spaced hemispherical portions 78a of a keel bracket 72a, secured to the associated keel 26, and which is otherwise th same in construction as the keel bracket 72 of FIGURES l to 4.

In FIGURE 7 is shown another form of the invention, consisting of a mounting plate assembly 1%, and a keel brace assembly 12b. The mounting plate assembly 18b consists of a flat plate 16b secured to the forward side of the transom 22 immediately below or flush with the upper edge 30 of the transom 22. The keel brace assembly 12b consists of a forwardly declining fiat bar 58b, having an upstanding rear end portion 62b secured to the forward side of the plate 16b at the center thereof, and having a horizontal forward end portion 60b secured to the keel 26.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURE 8 is the same in construction as that of FIGURE 7, except that the keel brace bar 580 and its end portions 600 and 620 ar of channel form, instead of flat.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9 is substantially the same as that of FIGURE 1, except that the towing ring 86d is of round bar stock, and the trolley ring 98d is conformed to roll around the towing ring 86d.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a boat hull having a transom having a forward side and an upper edge, a hull bottom extending forwardly from the transom, and hull side having gunwales spaced above the hull bottom, outboard motor mounting means comprising a flat web on and secured to the forward side of the transom, said web having a forward side with which a forward element of an outboard motor Clamp is adapted to be engaged with a rear element of the clamp engaged with the rear side of the transom, a first bracket fixed to and extending forwardly from. the middle of said web, a second bracket fixed centrally upon the hull bottom at a location forwardly of the transom, and a rigid brace rod extending between and fixed at its ends to the first and second brackets.

2. In combination, a boat hull having a transom, having a' forward side and an upper edge, a hull bottom extending forwardly from the transom, and hull sides having gunwales spaced above the hull bottom, outboard motor mounting means comprising a flat web on and secured to the forward side of the transom, said web having a forward side with which a forward element of an outboard motor clamp is adapted to be engaged with a rear element of the clamp engaged with the rear side of the transom, a first bracket fixed to and extending forwardly from the middle of aid web, a second bracket fixed centrally upon the hull bottom at a location forwardly of the transom, and a rigid brace rod extending between and fixed at its ends to the first and second brackets, said brace rod having threaded ends engaged in the brackets, and nuts threaded on said ends and bearing against th brackets.

3. In. combination, a boat hull having a transom having a forward side and an upper edge, a hull bottom extending forwardly from the transom, and hull sides having gunwales spaced above the hull bottom, outboard motor mounting means comprising a flat web on and secured to the forward side of the transom, said web having a forward side with which a forward element of an outboard motor clamp is adapted to be engaged with a rear element of the clamp engaged with the rear side of the transom, a first bracket fixed to and extending forwardly from the middle of said web, a second bracket fixed centrally upon the hull bottom at a location forwardly of the transom, and a rigid brace rod extending between and fixed at its ends to the first and second brackets, said brace rod being a flat bar having angled end, portions severally constituting said first and second brackets.

4. In combination, a boat hull having a transom having a forward side and an upper edge, hull bottom extending forwardly from the transom, and hull sides having gunwales spaced above the hull bottom, outboard motor mounting means comprising a flat web on and secured to the forward side of the transom, said web having a forward side with which a forward element of an outboard motor clamp is adapted to be engaged with a rear element of the clamp engaged with the rear side of the transom, a first bracket fixed to and extending forwardly from the middle of said Web, a second bracket fixed centrally upon the hull bottom at a location forwardly of the transom, and a rigid brace rod, extending between and fixed at its ends to the first and second brackets, said brace rod being a channel bar having angled end portions severally constituting said first and second brackets.

5. In combination, a boat hull having a transom having a forward side and an upper edge, a hull bottom extending forwardly from the transom, and hull sides having gunwales spaced above the hull bottom, outboard motor mounting means comprising a flat web on and secured to the forward side of the transom, said web having a forward side with which a forward element of an outboard motor clamp is adapted to be engaged with a rear element of the clamp engaged with the rear side of the transom, a first bracket fixed to and extending forwardly from the middle of said web, a second bracket fixed centrally upon the hull bottom at a location forwardly of the transom, and a rigid brace rod, extending between and fixed at its ends to the first and second brackets, said web having a rearwardly extending upper flange on its upper edge engaged over the upper edge of the transom, upstanding flanges on the ends of said upper flange having means thereon for pivoting thereto a towing ring.

6. in combination, a boat hull having a transom, having a forward side and an upper edge, a hull bottom extending forwardly from the transom, and hull sides having gunwales spaced above the hull bottom, outboard motor mounting means comprising a flat web on and secured to the forward side of the transom, said web having a forward side with which a forward element of an outboard motor clamp is adapted to be engaged With a rear element of the clamp engaged with the rear side of the transom, a first bracket fixed to and extending forwardly from the middle of said web, a second bracket fixed centrally upon the hull bottom at a location forwardly of the transom, and a rigid brace rod, extending between and fixed at its ends to the first and second brackets, said brace rod having threaded ends engaged in the brackets, and nuts threaded on said ends and bearing against the brackets, said brackets having concavo-convex portions provided with slots through which the rod ends extend, said nuts including first and second nuts bearing against opposite sides of the concave-convex portions.

7. In combination, a boat hull having a transom having a forward side and an upper edge, a hull bottom extending forwardly from the transom, and bull sides having gunwales spaced above the hull bottom, outboard motor mounting means comprising a flat web on and secured to the forward side of the transom, said web having a for- Ward side with which a forward element of an outboard motor clamp is adapted to be engaged with a rear element of the clamp engaged with the rear side of the transom, a first bracket fixed to and extending forwardly from the middie of said web, a second bracket fixed centrally upon the hull bottom at a location forwardly of the transom, and a rigid brace rod, extending between and fixed at its ends to the first and second brackets, an upper flange on said fiat web, upstanding flanges on the ends of said upper flange and gunwale brace rods secured at their rear ends to said upstanding flanges and at their forward ends to related gunwales.

8. In combination, a boat hull having a transom having a forward side and a hull bottom, a pair of laterally spaced flat outboard motor clamp receiving webs secured to the forward side of the transom, single central brackets on said webs, a single bracket fixed to the hull bottom forwardly of the transom, and a pair of forwardly converging brace rods having rear ends rearwardly fixed to the web brackets and forward ends fixed to the hull bottom bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,185,435 Powell May 30, 1916 1,205,776 Morgan Nov. 21, 1916 1,453,964 Wolbert May 1, 1923 1,510,047 Dunn Sept. 30, 1924 1,635,468 Dodge July 12, 1927 2,264,364 Conover Dec. 2, 1941 2,318,150 Foss May 4, 1943 2,572,623 Hoppenstand Oct. 23, 1951 2,585,344 Plazial; Feb. 12, 1952 2,738,751 Hogberg Mar. 20, 1956 2,764,119 Sigler Sept. 25, 1956 2,779,302 Atkinson Jan. 29, 1957 2,785,563 Strollis Mar. 19, 1957 2,859,929 Shontz Nov. 11, 1958 2,872,889 Johnson Feb. 10, 1959 2,902,799 Beck Sept. 8, 1959 2,905,132 Lewis Sept. 22, 1959 2,911,936 Kiekhaefer Nov. 10, 1959 2,920,598 Nielsen Ian. 12, 1960 2,929,348 Jackson Mar. 22, 1960 2,930,341 Gaston Mar. 29, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 432,939 Canada May 6, 1952 

